ASSIGNMENT 5 : Artists and Unions (1page words: 300)

For this week’s graded component you will be asked to explore either the work of an artist whose material has been presented or performed in Mayworks or a Canadian artist’s union. A good place to start with this assignment is the Maworks website (www.mayworks.ca). There you will find links to artists whose work has been featured in past or upcoming Mayworks, and a list of artist’s unions associated with the festival You might also try exploring the websites of Mayworks festivals held in cities other than Toronto, or searching for alternative artist union websites.

Our object with this DB is to get our thread looking like a who’s-who of Mayworks artists and artists unions.

Furthermore, in module 11, we have explored one aspect of the relationship between artists and unions: that of artists who create alongside unions. This DB will allow us to learn a bit about individual artist’s unions.

This assignment may be completed in partners or as individuals.

Assignment Guidelines

Before you proceed choose one of the following:
i. an artist whose work has been or will be featured in a Mayworks festival
ii. an artist’s union (it is not necessary that the artist’s union you choose be associated with Mayworks.)

Proceed with step A if you chosen an artist, or step B if you’ve chosen a union.
A. If you’ve chosen an artist whose work has or will be featured in Mayworks, focus on a piece of labour related work the artist has undertaken. In your DB posting describe the work in detail (where possible provide a visual or video), and provide some information about the artist (what sort of work she does, what sort of themes she takes up in her work in general, etc.). Discuss the themes taken up in the specific work of art on which you have chosen to focus, and what makes it relevant to the Mayworks festival.

Try to think of your posting as a mini-presentation or critique of the artist and her work. The object is to share about and explore some of the work one might encounter at the Mayworks festival

B. If you’ve chosen a union, visit the union’s website. In your posting, provide some background information about the union, its members, and the sort of work it sets out to do. Provide a link to the union website in your posting.

Think of your posting in this case as a mini-presentation on the artists’ union itself. The object here is to talk about some individual artist unions, their membership, and the sort of work they do.

Note: in your mini-critique be sure to refer to this week’s reading. Where necessary, be sure to cite your sources.

Tips for the Successful completion of this Assignment

• Successful postings should be 300-600 words in length. What is important here is making sure that you have explored your topic in sufficient detail. You are free to go over the limit in the case of more involved responses. Strive to create organized readable material.
• Be sure to include the artist’s or union’s name in your posting title along with your own and your partner’s name.
• Be creative and try to make your response as original as possible.
• READ other postings before making your commentary or your posting; make reference to other students’ postings where you can, and respond to them to show your consideration for their contributions.
• Be sure to provide original content. Student work that repeats something stated or explored in another posting will receive lower grades.
• Be considerate of other student’s ideas and be polite.